modeling classes

I wouldn't dream of trying to teach the class about all the ship kits available. This group will get an overview of steel ships in plastic and resin with samples of the kits and scales, you know, some modern plastic, some resin, some paper and some metal stuff. I can't believe the number of people that don't know that resin kits even exist! WS

Try to get them to join up here and/or Modelwarships. Good luck.

I can't really imagine trying to teach someone about all the kits available. It's somethign you just sort of figure out. I mean, sure you can hand them a list, but that list won't mean anything unless they know something about ships, what kind of ships to look for, where to buy them, what the best beginner kit is, what resin is, what PE is etc. That'd be a nightmare to try and sort out for someone who had no idea. If you have good knowledge of ships, that would get you over the biggest hurdle. But anything less than good, and well, I can't help.

K, I'm done rambling now. 

Whatever you finally decide to do don't forget the aspect of kit availability. Many in your audience will have absolutely no idea of the plethora of kits and subjects now available to the informed buyer. I will be doing a class on exactly that for a local museum group. The moderators were blown away by the selection available. They had no idea that such a huge variety was currently available. We as dedicated ship modelers forget that our knowledge of kits available is really insider knowledge. The general public is completely oblivious to what we know. Assume nothing, remember that most people's knowledge of ship kits is limited to a fuzzy recollection of old Revell/Monogram kits. WS

Thanks guys, I know, the subject material is really broad. I was asked to do this in response to a newspaper article on a sternwheel I built for a local museum. I may just do a one time thing as a modeling overview outlining all the types of modeling that can be done and see if there's any interest in persuing a group build or something like that. It doesn't neccesarily have to be plastic models. I'dkinda like to present as many genres as I can at first. We'll see if anymore ideas come up.

Contact the national office of IPMS for information on the Make-and-Take program.   They can probably set you up with a potential source of supplies.   Contact the local hobby shop for donations and/or discount offers for the students

I see a breakdown similar to:

Session 1:  Overview, history, model types, safety, supplies

Session 2:  Basic assembly,  parts prep & glue   (hands on/finish at home)

Session 3:  Painting,  brush/rattlecan/airbrush  (hands on/finish at home)

Session 4:  Decalling  (hands on/finish at home)

Session 5:  Show & tell (if you have time)

I think you will need to come up with a few more details and parameters before you will get much help on that one!